In a dramatic turn of events, Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following extensive questioning over a two-week period. Ghosh’s arrest comes amid widespread protests and scrutiny related to the rape and murder of a young doctor at the hospital last month.
The arrest was made in connection with allegations of financial misconduct during Ghosh’s tenure as principal. The CBI is investigating these financial irregularities alongside the ongoing rape-murder case. Ghosh had been questioned by the agency starting August 16, with each session lasting between 10 to 14 hours. The agency conducted a search of his residence on August 25 and confirmed they had collected significant evidence. Ghosh has also undergone two rounds of polygraph tests.
The rape and murder of the young doctor, whose body was discovered on August 9, triggered massive public outrage and protests. Critics questioned Ghosh’s handling of the case, particularly his failure to file a First Information Report (FIR) promptly. The Supreme Court had also criticized his appointment to another hospital shortly after resigning under public pressure, suggesting instead that he should take a prolonged leave.
The CBI’s investigation into Ghosh’s financial dealings includes allegations of illegal sales of unclaimed corpses, trafficking of biomedical waste, and corruption involving tenders for medical supplies. Additionally, former Deputy Superintendent of RG Kar Hospital, Akhtar Ali, has requested the Enforcement Directorate to probe these allegations further.
In response to the controversy, Ghosh has been suspended by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and his recent appointment to the prestigious Calcutta National Medical College faced backlash, culminating in students locking him out of his office before the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Sources By Agencies
